Does going on gap year actually improve you C.V?

What can I do to improve my CV during pediatric residency if going into primary care?

• I'm a second year resident at a university pediatrics program in NY and looking to stay in the area as either a member of a private group, hospitalist, or urgent care pediatrician. And if I do research to improve my CV will that make employers think I'll do research for them - because I'm actually not interested in research. Thanks!

• Answer:

  I am a managing partner at a small practice. For private practice primary care peds, research experience is not very important. Experience is most important to physician employers, but they accept the fact that you won't have any as a new physician. Instead, you bring energy, skill and (most important) potential for growth. Therefore, focus on getting good references from faculty in the area you intend to pursue (hospitalist, urgent care or private practice). Ask your references from a private practice rotation to comment on your understanding of insurance, managed care, billing/coding and your efficiency (seeing many patients in a reasonable time). These are important to private employers. Gold-plated references are many times more valuable than research experience on the CV of a future pediatrician. Good luck.